Ella Henderson to headline Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On concert

Singer Ella Henderson, who has achieved more than a billion digital streams will perform an extended free-to-access set to celebrate the Blackpool Illuminations switch-on.

Taking place on the Tower Festival Headland on Friday 30 August the show is staged in association with Hits Radio.

It will also feature Grammy-nominated artist and founder member of The Pussycat Dolls, Kimberly Wyatt, and the Massaoke show performed by Rockstar Weekend,

Ella, who has ten Top 10 singles, first appeared on the Switch-On stage in 2021 during the pandemic when a live concert in the Tower Ballroom was performed in front of a small audience and streamed on YouTube.

This year, she returns to the town to perform on the outdoor stage, which last year attracted a record audience of around 80,000 people.

Her performance will be followed by the iconic Switch-On moment, which will trigger four months of Illuminations. The name of the Switch-On celebrity will be revealed in the coming days.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ella back to Blackpool to headline what is going to be an amazing night. She is the perfect performer to headline a concert that will feature the very best of local, national and international talent.”

The Switch-On celebrations will start with some of Blackpool’s brightest young musicians taking to the stage in the run-up to the main event with a non-stop series of performances.

The Upbeat Rock Academy, which organises rock music tuition for more than 300 students from across the Fylde Coast, will present Blackpool Introduces, a 90-minute-long showcase of local talent.

The young people will be joined by Blackpool-based House of Wingz, an award-winning hip hop dance crew that has already been featured on prime time national television.

They will be followed by the main event: A two-hour show hosted by Leanne and Joel, presenters of Hits Radio breakfast show.

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